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Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2011 3:29 pm
by dognose
KENT BROTHERS

168, Yonge Street, Toronto.


Kent Bros., Watch-makers And Jewellers, 168 Yonge Street.–This establishment is not only a splendid monument to the intelligent enterprise of its management, but it is one of those houses whose great and honourable success reflects lustre upon the name of the city. It is leader in its line, and holds a commanding position among the mercantile institutions of the country. Dealing with the loveliest forms of artistic production, it has contributed largely to the elevation of the standard of taste and culture among the people, and its own progress has kept it in the lead of the general advance, at every step satisfying the more critical demands of the improved conditions it was prominently instrumental in creating.

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The firm consists of Andrew Kent and Benjamin Kent, and was established in the year 1867. The enterprise and experience of the proprietors made it a success from the start. In the year 1881 they erected the handsome and imposing structure which they at present occupy, one of the finest in the city, where their business has grown to such a magnitude as gives it a powerful influence in the support and promotion of the city's prosperity.

The business includes the manufacture of watches, gold and silver-ware, in which the house has an extensive trade and a reputation second to that of no other similar concern in the country. Also diamond setting, for which the firm is equally well and widely noted, and its productions in that line are universally acknowledged to be unrivalled in design and workmanship. The firm also deals extensively in electro silver-plated table-ware, American and foreign watches from the best and reliable makers, bronzes, clocks, jewellery, chains and elegant Bijouterie of every description–in fact everything that a jewellery-store needs.

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The department allotted to diamonds and precious stones displays the genius and skill of the jeweller in their highest development. The gems are purchased in Europe, being carefully selected for their flawless beauty and perfect shape, the mounting and setting being done by the firm.

In the spacious store-rooms, on a level with the street, which are fairly ablaze with the magnificent exhibition of beautiful goods, is one of the finest collections of bronzes, gold and silver ornaments, watches, clocks, modern novelties side by side with the rarest works of art hundreds of years old, elegant ceramic-ware, fine clock-cases, etc.

The manufacturing departments are equipped with the most approved devices to aid in the delicate processes, which include engine-turning, etching and enameling. The firm is able to produce work fully equal to the best imported goods in watches or jewellery.

The house, as well its goods, is a favourite with its many customers on account of its honourable methods and conscientious regard for the interest of its patrons, every repsesentation being scrupulously exact, and the great resources of the immense concern enabling it to offer a wider and better range of selection and more advantageous terms than any other house less thoroughly equipped. Kent Bros. name is inseparably connected with the history of the jewellery trade of Toronto, in which they have been a prominent figure for the last sixteen years, and their pride in the colossal enterprise they have established is shared by the community, among whose industrial and mercantile interests it wields so potent and valuable an influence.


Source: Toronto: Past and Present: A Handbook of the City - Charles Pelham Mulvany - 1884

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto

Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:34 pm
by dognose
Messrs. Kent Bros., sign of the Indian Clock, 166 Yonge street. This business was established in 1867. The firm erected the sign of the Indian Clock, which is quite a novelty in the city ; it keeps perfect time, each quarter being struck by an Indian squaw and the hour by an Indian chief. These figures are of a large size and have a very natural appearance. It is illuminated all night at considerable expense to the firm, and is a great boon to the public of Toronto. Messrs. Kent Bros, keep the most experienced workmen that can be obtained, and having direct communication with the observatory are thereby enabled to give correct time to all time pieces entrusted to them for repairs. They have a large and varied stock of clocks, watches, jewellery, spectacles, &c., continually on hand. The Patent Spectacle Indicator of this firm's invention gives the strength of lens required for any sight immediately, thereby dispensing with the unpleasantness of trying on the dozens of glasses so often found necessary in other instances before getting such as are suitable. A full assortment of all qualities of spectacles always on hand. The firm guarantee a perfect fit and satisfaction even to the most fastidious.

Source: Illustrated Toronto: Past and Present: Being an Historical and Descriptive Guide-book - J. Timperlake - 1877

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 5:47 am
by dognose
Kent Brothers closed their doors around 1894. The advertisement below states that they had sold their premises at 168, Yonge Steet and had to vacate by the 1st March 1894. The Kent brothers (presumably Andrew and Benjamin) also state that they are retiring from business.

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Kent Bros. - Toronto - 1893

The business was resurrected in some form, as Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd. William G. Kent was noted as Vice President and Treasurer, and F.A. Kent as General Manager.

I wonder what happened to that wonderful looking clock?

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:57 am
by silverly
It is a small point, but judging by 1860's Ontario Business Directory listings, the brothers were Ambrose and Benjamin.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 12:08 pm
by dognose
Thanks Pat, That makes more sense.

Regards Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto

Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:15 am
by dognose
AMBROSE KENT & SONS

156, Yonge Street, and Richmond W, Toronto

Always nice to put a face to the names. Ambrose Kent is top centre.

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This image is taken from Ambrose Kent & Sons 1895 catalogue.

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto

Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2012 3:41 pm
by dognose
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Ambrose Kent & Sons Limited - Toronto - c.1930

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2012 1:26 pm
by dognose
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Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 3rd August 1898

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:53 am
by dognose
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Ambrose Kent & Sons Limited - Toronto - 1909

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Mon May 26, 2014 3:17 am
by dognose
Toronto Industrial Exhibition 1902

The Jewelry Trade Well Represented at the Toronto Industrial Exhibition

Toronto, Ont., Sept. 3.–The Toronto Industrial Exhibition opened on the 1st inst. and will continue for two weeks. The attendance so far has been in excess of previous years, and promises to break the record.

The 4th inst. was Manufacturers' Day, a large number of the leading manufacturers being in attendance at the official luncheon, and jewelry and kindred trades were well represented. W. K. McNaught of the American Watch Case Co.. Toronto, who has recently been appointed president of the Exhibition Board of Directors, occupied the chair and made the opening address. He claimed that Canada was turning out manufactured articles as good as those made in any other country, and better in some lines.

Among the other speakers was W. K. George, of the Standard Silver Co.

The most noteworthy jewelry display is that of Ambrose Kent & Sons, who occupy the central stand in the main building with a fine exhibit, the prominent features of which are enameled souvenir goods and precious stones. They show a pearl necklace in a single strand valued at $3,000. and many fancy designs in brooches set with precious stones. They have also a full display of sterling silver novelties in toilet articles, and a large and varied showing of society regalia.

R. H. Ingersoll & Bro. have a large exhibit of nickel, silver and gold filled watches.


Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 10th September 1902

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 4:39 am
by dognose
Ambrose Kent, jeweler, Toronto, sailed from New York on the Marquette, Saturday morning, April 8. for London. He is accompanied by Mrs. Kent. Pleasure and business will occupy his time while away.

Source: The Jewelers Review - 12th April 1899

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 4:09 am
by dognose
Ambrose Kent, Toronto, has gone to Winnipeg to attend the Dominion Methodist Conference, which opened on the 4th. and before returning east will visit the Pacific coast. He is accompanied by his wife.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 17th September 1902

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2014 3:53 am
by dognose
L.H. Luke, of Ambrose Kent & Sons, Toronto, was recently elected Illustrious Lieutenant Commander of the Temple Encampment, Royal Foresters, just organized.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 5th May 1897


L. H. Luke, of Ambrose Kent & Sons, Toronto, attended the meeting of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Canada at Brantford, Ont.. last week.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 28th July 1897

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 5:53 am
by dognose
Noble L. Herbert Luke, of Ambrose Kent & Sons, is attending the meeting of the Imperial Council of Mystic Shrine, which is being held in Buffalo, June 14. 15, 16. The Canadian Nobles have a neat souvenir badge, a maple leaf in autumnal tints, bearing the shrine emblem, the order for which was entrusted to Noble Luke.

Source: The Jewelers Review - 21st June 1899


Fred A. Kent, of Ambrose Kent & Sons, is spending a few days in Montreal.

Source: The Jewelers Review - 21st June 1899

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:22 am
by dognose
The Indian Clock of The Ambrose Kent & Son Co., Limited, has been undergoing a spring cleaning during the past month, inside and out, and has come through the ordeal not only improved as to time keeping qualities, but looking like a brand new clock from the factory. Gold leaf has not been spared in its decoration, and it now presents a golden Indian to the public gaze as well as a golden clock. Although neat it is both a striking and attractive sign.

Source: The Trader & Canadian Jeweller - June 1900

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:34 am
by dognose
Incorporated

The firm of Ambrose Kent & Sons, jewelers, of Toronto, have turned their business into a joint stock company with an authorized capital of $100,000. The new company will be known as "Ambrose Kent & Sons, Limited," and the first officers are as follows : President, Ambrose Kent ; Vice-President and Treasurer, Mr. Wm. G. Kent ; Secretary, Mr. L. Herbert Luke.


Source: The Trader & Canadian Jeweller - June 1900

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Wed Oct 22, 2014 11:58 am
by dognose
New Illuminated Clock.–The new illuminated clock of Kent Bros., of this city, is the most showy and attractive thing we have ever seen, and the effect at night when the strong electric lights bring out the colors of its stained glass ia both unique and striking.

Source: The Trader & Canadian Jeweller - December 1890

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:28 am
by dognose
Ambrose Kent & Sons, Toronto, are increasing their manufacturing facilities by fitting up an additional flat over their place of business and augmenting their staff. This extension has been rendered necessary by the rapid growth of the medal and society regalia manufacturing branch of their business.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular and Horological Review - 12th May 1897

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 2:22 pm
by dognose
The branch store at York of Ambrose Kent & Sons, Toronto, was broken into by robbers on the evening of the 9th. The thieves resorted to the ruse of setting a large fire in the neighborhood to attract the attention of the people while they were at their work. They failed to secure any plunder, as the watches, which form the valuable portion of the stock, are deposited every night in the vault of the adjoining railway station.

Source: The Jewelers' Circular - 24th May 1899

Trev.

Re: Kent Brothers of Toronto (Ambrose Kent & Sons Ltd.)

Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2015 1:33 pm
by kerangoumar
The Kent business is long and mysterious - At some point one or another of the brothers has become "Kent's Limited" Jewelers(NB spelling) Toronto inside a laurel wreath. Dupuis (auction house) sold an antique citrine and pearl necklace ten years ago, exceeding expectations by quite a bit:

(admin edit - see Posting Requirements )

That necklace was estimated to date from around 1900. Where Kent went thereafter is as yet undetermined. City directories would be a bit of help. Currently, Kents Jewellers is a three-employee wholesaler at 21 Dundas Square (Toronto's Diamond district, all in one building) but the connections are unclear.